Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob of Milwaukee issued a public apology after a White House meeting where Catholic bishops prayed over President Donald Trump on October 22, 2026, stating that the administration manipulated the religious leaders into a political photo opportunity just weeks before the midterm elections.
The closed-door gathering brought a dozen U.S. Catholic bishops to the Oval Office on October 22, 2026, for discussions that White House officials described as covering religious freedom and school choice. But the encounter drew immediate public scrutiny after White House communications adviser Margo Martin posted a video on X showing the clerics gathered around President Donald Trump as he bowed his head in prayer.
Archbishop Grob, writing from the Dominican Republic while visiting a sharing parish, stated that the participants attended in good faith to address substantive matters. Within days, however, the video’s wide circulation on social media — reaching millions of views — triggered fierce blowback from Catholics who questioned the political optics of appearing with the president less than two weeks before the national vote.
Archbishop Grob Calls Oval Office Prayer a Setup
The Milwaukee prelate explained that organizers from the pro-Trump Heritage Foundation had assured the delegation that the meeting would remain private. According to accounts shared by participants, the clerics anticipated a quiet dialogue and perhaps an opportunity to pray privately with the president, alongside a possible appearance by Catholic Cabinet members.
Instead, following a 90-minute discussion with White House domestic policy advisers, the group was ushered into the Oval Office.
Catholic Archbishops and Bishops gather in the Oval Office to pray with President @realDonaldTrump. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/O6SQgR76wH
Unbeknownst to the group of bishops a video was also taken. But permission for the public distribution or posting of either the video or photos was not given by the bishops.
Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob, Archdiocese of Milwaukee
The fallout was swift. Grob reported receiving numerous messages from parishioners expressing deep concern that he had inadvertently endorsed a political campaign. Other individuals, he noted, felt genuinely wounded because of how administration policies had affected their families.
We should never have been put in that position by the White House. I did not go without reservations. I wish I had heeded them. Please know that I have heard these concerns, understand how I caused them, and I apologize for any damage my actions have done.
Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob, Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Denver Archbishop James Golka Defends Pastoral Intent
Archbishop James Golka of Denver offered a different perspective on the encounter, confirming that he led the prayer asking God’s blessing upon the nation. Golka acknowledged that the mixed online response had weighed heavily upon him.
The Denver archbishop maintained that the intercession was an act of pastoral duty rather than partisan alignment. He emphasized that the agenda addressed pressing concerns for the faithful, including religious worker visas, immigration enforcement, and human dignity.
One meeting does not change policy. I was able to say what the Church teaches, and I would say the same to a president of either party.
Archbishop James Golka, Archdiocese of Denver
White House Defends Record as Critics Demand Accountability
The White House pushed back against claims that the meeting was exploitative. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers pointed to the administration’s policy achievements regarding religious liberty and the protection of Christian institutions.
Sickening. History will judge this, and it will not be merciful. If Trump asked for them to pray over him, and they agreed, it should have been held in private, to avoid what will now happen — the instrumentalization of this video in the mid-terms. https://t.co/xjJMgG4McO
There has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it: he stopped the weaponization of the federal government against Christians, proudly defended and expanded our religious rights, pardoned pro-life activists, and protected parents’ rights.
Taylor Rogers, White House spokeswoman
Outside the administration, the gathering drew sharp rebukes from multiple Catholic organizations. The Sisters of Charity of New York issued a public critique arguing that the encounter compromised the moral authority of the Church. Democratic strategist Christopher Hale also circulated an online petition demanding that all 12 participating bishops apologize to the faithful and to Pope Leo XIV.
The controversy unfolded against a complicated backdrop of shared principles and deep disagreements between the American hierarchy and the administration. While bishops have welcomed common ground on school choice and religious freedom, they have strongly objected to the federal government’s policies on immigration.
More on White House
Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee on Sunday issued what he called a “public apology” over his part in the Oct. 22 meeting of bishops at the White House.https://t.co/G9QnTRYR3t
